Summer Activities

Above Reality Hot Air Balloons is ready to take your visit to The Green Mountain State to sky-high heights!

One of the top events during summer in Vermont is the Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival. For over thirty years, a parade of hot-air balloons has filled the skies and highlights our area’s fascination and storied history with this amazing feat of aeronautics. Yet even if you weren’t with us in Vermont in the summer for the festival, hot air balloon trips are still a fun way to experience The Green Mountain State and all its natural beauty! Above Reality Hot Air Balloons is the premier tour provider for this sky-high activity in Stowe, Vermont. Their focus is to give each and every one of their passengers incredible views that will live in their hearts for a lifetime, but all in a safe and truly family-friendly environment. Before you decide if hot air ballooning in Stowe, Vermont is truly for you, there are some basic parameters that you need to consider.

Flights only occur two times a day – sunrise and sunset. These are the safest times for traversing the skies and will affect the duration of your trip depending on the length of the day when you book. You will need to consult their hot air ballooning Vermont calendar to get an approximation of the times, though most fall around 60 minutes. Of course, the weather also plays a factor and you will be contacted immediately if the day’s flights are canceled.

You need to plan to spend around four hours upon arrival at the starting launch site at Essex Resort and Spa. The temperature aboard the balloon will be similar to the ground so dress appropriately. Boots or sneakers are required and some type of hat is recommended to provide protection from the heat emitted by the balloon’s burners. There are three sizes of balloon basket, with the smallest accommodating around four passengers and the largest, twelve!

Normal flights fill up fast and are offered from May through September. Their special October Fall Foliage Tours are truly breath-taking with many returning after their summer in Stowe just to take this trip! And when you and your spirit are done soaring high in the skies, you will need a comfortable place to lay your head. Book a room with us at The Green Mountain Inn for a home-away-from-home experience in the heart of downtown Stowe.

“Always Jazz… Always Free” – this is one of the top Stowe annual festivals you do not want to miss!

There are many Stowe festivals in a calendar year that can be fun but also exhausting! Stowe annual festivals such as the B3 Fest and Winter Rendezvous are famous throughout the entire Green Mountain State and for good reasons! Yet if you actually come to Stowe, Vermont for these events, you will find that riding bikes and drinking brews or taking in some winter outdoor pursuits is not for everyone. However, if you are coming to Stowe in early September this year, you will be treated to great fun without breaking a sweat!

Now in its third year, the 2019 Stowe Jazz Festival is expanding on its core values of sharing this genre of music to the community by offering more venues, more styles, and more performances. Taking place from Friday, September 6 through Sunday, September 8, the Stowe music scene will be 100% jazz and 100% free! With so many different sub-genres, characterizing the Stowe jazz music that you will hear would be impossible to do. But one thing is for certain: just as with all Vermont jazz festivals, all of the music will have a swing, no matter if it is Be-bop, Progressive, or even Afro-Cuban!

What’s happening in Stowe will be jazz music that crosses all barriers! An amazing group of artists from across the globe will be coming to Stowe for the event from as far as Israel and Portugal to places a little closer to home like New York City, Boston, and of course, Vermont! While the Village Venue Shows have yet to be announced, the 12 artist lineup for the Alchemist Mainstage is set! All of these events are free and it is advised that you walk, bike, or drive around to visit the multiple venues to discover as much unique and wonderful music as you can.

The Alchemist Mainstage is located on Cottage Club Road, just a few miles away from Downtown Stowe. And when you’re done swinging the days away, you will want a comfortable place to lay your head to rest as visions of the wonders of jazz continue dancing in your head! Book a room with us at The Green Mountain Inn for a great vacation experience here in the heart of Stowe!

The jukebox musical based on the songs of the pop group ABBA is coming to the stage in Stowe at the end of the month.

Great music is coming our way, Stowe, Vermont! To end the summer right and kick off this fall in Stowe in true glitzy-glam style comes the Stowe Theatre Guild’s production of the Broadway hit musical “Mamma Mia”! Stowe Theatre Guild only produces the highest quality of theatrical productions throughout their four-show season, running from June to October. Coming to the stage in Stowe as their third production of the year, Mamma Mia will hit the stage on Wednesday, August 21 and run through Saturday, September 7.

Grossing over $2 billion worldwide since its debut in 1999, Mamma Mia is a jukebox musical based on the hit songs of the Swedish pop group ABBA. Even if you think that you won’t recognize any of the tunes in Mamma Mia in Stowe, just wait until the opening strains of “Dancing Queen” hit the theatre. The plot of the show follows a young bride-to-be, who longs to have her father at the wedding, invites three men who each have the possibility of being that man. Her mother is unaware of this plan and thus, hilarity and a bunch of ABBA tunes follow!

As with many other Stowe Performing Arts productions, the performances will be taking the stage at the historic Town Hall Theatre in the heart of Downtown. You know who else is located in Downtown and is only a short distance away from the theatre and all of what’s happening in Stowe this fall: The Green Mountain Inn! Located less than a block away, our comfortable accommodations and variety of upscale amenities will provide you with the perfect home-away-from-home to return to after the final bows are taken and the curtain has fallen!

One of the top races in Vermont for the entire calendar year is set to make its return on August 25!

Each summer in Stowe, locals and tourists alike look forward to the running of the annual Northeast Delta Dental Race to the Top of Vermont (RTTOVT). This event is not only one of the most popular summer races in Vermont, but also the Catamount Trail Association’s biggest fundraiser. By taking part in this pinnacle of all Vermont races, you will be actively assisting in the preservation of the trails that are enjoyed by millions a year across the state. Attracting nearly 1,000 participants each and every year to Stowe, Vermont, you will have the choice of either biking, hiking or running up the 4.3 mile long Toll Road to the summit of Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in the Green Mountain State. That is 2,564 feet of vertical elevation to climb, but trust us – the journey up the fully paved trail is some of the best outdoor fun during summertime in Stowe!

The 11th annual Race to the Top takes place on Sunday, August 25, 2019, starting from the Toll House Conference Center at the Stowe Mountain Resort. Registration is required for the event as the different start times for each group of racers depends on the number of participants. The first grouping will head up the trail at 9:00 AM. Another way to enjoy one of the top races in Vermont is for the younger set (ages 4-14) during the Kids Fun Run at 12:00 PM. This smaller ‘trail’ consisting of 1 or 2 loops around a 1km course at the base of the Toll Road is specifically designed to bring this fitness-inspired outdoor fun in Stowe to little climbers in the family!

After you enjoy your post-race celebration, complete with a full BBQ lunch and awards ceremony at the Toll House Conference Center, be prepared and make sure you have a comfortable home-away-from-home to return to! A perfect home base for all outdoor activities in the area, The Green Mountain Inn offers all of the comfort and convenience you need to make your race day in Stowe a true winner!

During the summer in Stowe, weekends start a little earlier! No need to wait for Saturday to roll around as Weekends on the Green at Spruce Peak will get you started already on Thursday. Each “weekend” during summertime in Vermont, Spruce Peak – Stowe’s only slopeside destination that offers year-round recreational activities – hosts a variety of fun events for the whole family! Some of the highlights that you can expect each weekend in Stowe in the summer are:

Friday Artisan Markets (11 AM – 3 PM)

The best local artisans from all over the Green Mountain State converge on the Spruce Peak Village Green every Friday to showcase their creativity and sell their handmade goods. An added bonus is the inclusion of a weekly kids activity, aiming to not only be enjoyable but educational for the youngest members of the family during their summer break!

Lawn Games

Throughout the weekend, challenge your friends to a little rousing game of corn-hole or test the skill of your family members with a game of Giant Connect Four!

Local Food Trucks

Keep yourself well-fed and your thirst perfectly quenched by sampling some of the best in local fare and craft brews. From the suds being slung at the Whistle Pig Pavilion to the south of the border delights from Old Mozo’s Taco Truck, the culinary creations may be worth the trip alone!

Live Music

On Friday and Saturdays, a variety of local acts will be on hand to entertain the masses with each week promising a showcase of unique musical styles.

Weekends on the Green runs from 11 AM to 9 PM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with the festivities ending slightly earlier on Sunday at 6 PM. Whether you’re visiting Stowe, Vermont for a day or for an entire weekend, you’ll find a comfortable home-away-from-home with us at The Green Mountain Inn. Located less than 10 miles away from Spruce Peak, book your stay with us and take advantage of our Old World charm yet modernly-appointed accommodations to ensure you enjoy a quintessential New England summer weekend to remember.

The best in local Green Mountain culture will be on full display during this special arts week in Stowe.

After a successful inaugural run last summertime in Stowe, The Stowe Arts and Culture Council is getting ready to once again honor the area’s long history and involvement in the fine arts with one of their new signature art festivals – Stowe Arts Week! Taking place from July 20 through July 28, there will be a wide variety of local arts and cultural organizations taking part in many different events, ensuring that there’ll be an event for every member of the family this summer in Stowe. Yet unlike some other art festivals in Stowe, these events are spread out across a full week and in various locations throughout the area. Here are just a few of the marquee happenings during Arts Week in Stowe this year:

Exposed, Opening and Walkabout | Helen Day Art Center

(Saturday, July 20 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

The premier non-profit modern arts and education organization in Stowe, Vermont kicks off the festival with the opening of their 28th annual outdoor sculpture exhibition, “Exposed”. Local artists from all over Vermont submit their pieces for a chance to be in this prestigious showcase.

As part of a national fundraiser for HIAS (a non-profit organization aiding Jewish refugees), JCOGS is hosting the fourth night of a series of staged readings of “Eight Nights”, a new play by Jennifer Maisel.

Part of the Stowe Jewish Film Festival, view a screening of this acclaimed documentary celebrating the life and career of the entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.

The full schedule of all of the local events including musical performances, art workshops, and gallery walks can be found here.

With such a jam-packed week of indoor and outdoor activities in Stowe, you’ll certainly want a comfortable ‘home’ to return to. Located in the center of the downtown area of Stowe Village, The Green Mountain Inn offers all of the comfort and convenience you need to make your stay this summer in Vermont a memorable one.

Check out one of the most rewarding outdoor activities in Stowe this summer.

When you think of ‘dogsledding’, we are sure that a wintery landscape is the first thing that comes to mind. Yet a version of this pursuit is one of the top outdoor activities in Stowe all year round! When the snow melts, the ‘sleds’ are put away as it is now the time for dog carting in Stowe. With all of the natural beauty of Stowe, Vermont surrounding you, this all-weather activity is a can’t-miss diversion any day of the year!

There are a few different outfitters that provide summer dog carting in Stowe. While it is more popular of an activity in the fall, when the foliage is at peak ‘leaf-peeping’ stage, summertime in Stowe is just as beautiful. The basics of Stowe dog carting are similar across all providers. This exciting adventure is a guided tour through wooded trails, many that were designed just for dogsledding. There will also be stops along the way to give your beautiful canines a break, while also giving you a chance to get to know both them and your human tour guides a little better. The average tour will last around two hours but can be extended depending on the heat. Weather in Vermont in the summer is unpredictable, ensuring every tour is a unique experience.

This summer in Stowe, local favorite Peace Pups Dogsledding is not offering dog carting services but still has a variety of other tours and kennels visits for you to explore as you wait until fall. Umiak Outdoor Outfitters is offering tours twice-a-day, seven-days-a-week all summer long.

If you want to experience the natural beauty of Stowe by way of dog cart, make sure to book a stay at The Green Mountain Inn. A perfect companion to this family-fun activity, our comfortable accommodations, and friendly staff will have you feeling paws-itively right at home.

A terrific trio of musical acts is on tap for the Music in the Meadow 2019 concert series.

There are many different Stowe summer events that may already be filling up your calendars. From brew festivals in Stowe to outdoor fishing excursions, everyone in the Green Mountain State is proud to proclaim that our beautiful area of our country is not only a skier’s paradise but an all-year-round travel destination. One of the more musical entries into our slate of summer festivals is Stowe Performing Arts’ annual Music in the Meadow concert series.

Taking place at The Trapp Family Lodge, Music in the Meadow 2019 is bringing a trio of musical groups to Stowe, Vermont this season. The picnic-style seating includes areas for patrons to enjoy the melodic melodies on their choice of ‘bring-your-own’ chair from blankets to low-backs to high-backs and everything in between. Every concert-attendee will be guaranteed a great view of the stage as well as the picturesque backdrop of the rolling hills of Stowe, Vermont.

First up is the Vermont Symphony Orchestra on July 7th. Part of their 2019 Summer Festival Tour, their program for the year – “Strike up the Orchestra” – highlights the composers who “set America to music”. From Gershwin to Joplin to John Williams, the concert will close with a dazzling light show of fireworks to the symphonic sounds of the beloved Sousa marches that have become synonymous with the good ol’ U.S. of A!

Next, on the Stowe Music in the Meadow docket are the Americana stylings of Bumper Jacksons on July 21. Reimagining the roots music of the Deep South, from New Orleans to the Appalachian Mountains, this six-piece outfit puts a brassy swing on traditional motifs. “The dance floor never sleeps” when they strike up the band with their city-meets-country flair.

Rounding out the festival is the bluesy drawl of the soulful Ruthie Foster on August 4. Nominated for three Grammys and having shared the stage with many of her fellow contemporaries from Bonnie Raitt to the Allman Brothers, she will be performing selections spanning her entire career as well as her new album, Joy Comes Back.

Elevate your experience by staying with us at the Green Mountain Inn. Conveniently located less than five miles away from the Lodge, our comfortable accommodations and upscale amenities harmonize to create a home-away-from-home that is a masterpiece of quintessential New England charm.

The beginning of summer in Stowe, Vermont means the return of this annual and ever-growing signature event.

It’s almost time to raise your glass and toast the return of the Stowe Brewers Festival. One of the most popular annual festivals in Stowe is ready to kick off summer in The Green Mountain State in true hoppy style. Starting on Friday, June 28 and running through Sunday, June 30, this fun three-day event spotlights the best in brews, wines, spirits, and cocktails with an emphasis on our own local and vibrant craft brewery scene.

The Stowe Brewers Festival 2019 is an outdoor, rain or shine, event taking up the full expanse of Stowe Events Field. In similar fashion to other brew festivals, the event features four separate tasting sessions. With each standard admission acting as your specific four-hour session pass, you will receive a 3 oz. commemorative tasting glass and 15 tickets to sample the best brews from the over 40 brewers, cider makers, and meaders in attendance. Just like in years past at the other brew festivals in Stowe, this list will include some of the biggest names in the business like Angry Orchard Hard Cider to the smaller local outfits such as Zero Gravity Craft Brewery.

Being one of the top local summer festivals also means you can expect many food vendors, local artisans, and a bevy of live entertainment on hand to round out this event in true Vermontian style. Also, a fun new addition to the Stowe Brewers Festival this year is the Friday night karaoke contest. As this is an alcohol-inspired event, this is one of the Stowe festivals of the year that is only for those of legal drinking age (photo I.D. will be required).

Savor the flavor of this inherently Stowe, Vermont festival by booking your stay with us at the nearby Green Mountain Inn. Located less than a mile away from Stowe Events Field, convenience and comfort perfectly pair together to ensure your weekend is un-beer-lievable!

Summer fun in Stowe, Vermont takes a turn toward the traditional when the town gets together to celebrate America’s birthday.

In honor of the Fourth of July, Stowe, Vermont offers an array of events, activities and family-friendly things to do that all take on the quintessential Old World charm of our historic town. For many, celebrating the Fourth of July in Vermont also signals the midway point of summer and there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors and spirit of our great nation’s birthday. Billed as “An Old Fashioned Fourth of July”, this day-long celebration takes place this year on the holiday Thursday at various venues across the town.

What can you expect from this unique brand of summer fun in Stowe, Vermont? It all starts Downtown at 10 AM with a Fourth of July Parade, Stowe, Vermont style! Known as The Moscow Parade, all of the floats are required to be decorated for no more than $10 to keep the small-town charm of this event alive. After the parade and throughout the day (ending at 3:30 PM), celebrate at the “An Old-Fashioned Village” festival, complete with street performers, local artisan vendors, face painting, live entertainment, and of course, a variety of different festive foods! Don’t miss out on the multiple rounds of Pie Eating Contests!

If you missed the Moscow Parade, fear not as the 5th Annual Village Independence Day Parade is considered by many to be the highlight of the day. A much more vibrant celebration, this parade embodies the patriotic spirit of the town and perfectly sets up the grand finale of the day at Mayo Events Field. At the park, guests can partake in carnival games, dine on some more fabulous local food and get ready for the impressive fireworks display to light up the sky.

If you are planning on celebrating the Fourth of July in Stowe, Vermont, commemorate America’s 243rd birthday in style with us at The Green Mountain Inn. Central to all of Downtown Stowe’s dining, retail, and entertainment destinations, the classic charm and modern convenience of our comfortable accommodations provide you with the perfect home-away-from-home for the Independence Day festivities.